By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Troopers of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) recovered a firearm and ammunition following a clash with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Cansampo, Barangay Bagtic, La Libertad, Negros Oriental on Thursday, June 22.
In a report the Army released on Saturday, June 24, a .357 caliber revolver, four rounds of serviceable ammunition, and two backpacks with subversive documents and personal belongings were recovered in the area.
The encounter happened when the soldiers responded to information from local residents regarding the alleged presence of suspected NPA rebels in the hinterlands of the town, according to the Army.
At least nine unidentified armed men clashed with the military troopers, the Army said.
No evacuation was conducted according to barangay officials.
Meanwhile, the Leonardo Panaligan Command (LPC) of NPA Central Negros Guerrilla Front slammed the Army for the burst of gunfire heard by residents in the said area that day.
Ka JB Regalado, spokesperson of LPC-NPA, said they condemn such an incident.
